Hello Internet! I'd like to preface this review by saying that of the three previous Underworld films, I had only seen the third, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. And I didn't really like it. It was actually at the very bottom of my film rankings of 2009...at 63rd place. Needless to say I didn't have very high expectations for the film. The second trailer started to get me excited for it. Then I saw the film. And I enjoyed it way more than I had anticipated.
The whole film just clicked for me. Its nothing too spectacular. Its not terrible either. Its a perfectly serviceable action/horror film that I found highly entertaining. The narrative itself is quite small in scope and only spans two days' time. While there isn't anything inherently bad with that choice, I couldn't help but want a larger quest or mission to play out. The last Resident Evil film (its fairly easy to compare these two Screen Gems' franchises) has the type of scale that I was hoping for. The story is interesting enough, if not fairly predictable, and kept me engaged throughout the fast-paced eighty-eight-minute run time. I honestly could've watched another half-hour or so and been perfectly happy.
The action is fairly well-done, as are the visual effects. I quite enjoyed the blend of digital/practical effects for the lycans. Having not seen the previous films, I also was fascinated by the futuristic werewolf/vampire-killing technology employed throughout the film. I would've never thought of a silver-dust-filled grenade that upon inhaling, would cause the lycans to burn from within. All three of the major action set-pieces were highly entertaining, with the final battle being the most fun to watch.
Kate Beckinsale is great at kicking tons of lycan ass. The rest of the supporting cast does a decent job with the material. I felt that relative new-comer India Eisley did a great job of holding her own against older, more seasoned veteran actors. And she kicked a bunch of lycan ass, too. And it was awesome.
As you can tell I quite enjoyed Underworld. I tried to turn my brain off while I was watching it and I very much think that helped quite a bit. When I start to question the logic of the film (where does Selene keep her ammo magazines? If she doesn't carry extra ammo, why the hell not? Why doesn't she keep a sweet sword with her at all times?) I start to realize the many cracks and flaws in this fourth Underworld movie. And I don't really want to. Will it make my top-ten when the year is up? Most definitely not. But that doesn't mean it isn't entertaining.
Underworld: Awakening is a perfectly fine, entertaining, action film.
The Bearded Bullet is off to watch the first two Underworld movies...
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Red Tails Review
What up Internet? After decades of toil, George Lucas (executive producer) finally brings us his passion project, Red Tails. The film follows the valiant Tuskegee Airmen and some of their trials and tribulations during the Italian campaign of World War Two. Still steeped in the intolerant and racist 1940s, the brave pilots had to fight not only the air but on the ground, on a day-to-day basis. Originally confined to "simple" recon missions the Red Tails (named for the red paint on the tails of their planes) eventually are allowed bomber-protection missions and prove quite successful and gain notoriety. This all sounds like it would make a compelling narrative...but alas, Red Tails just falls short of the target.
The narrative just didn't work for me. The aerial combat is a sight to behold; stellar visual effects and stunning camerawork make compelling action sequences. When the drama lands and dialogue takes center stage...yowza. Some of the dialogue is compelling and interesting. The rest of the time I couldn't tell if I was supposed to laugh or be offended (although there are very few actual racial slurs throughout the film). The dialogue between the Red Tails was borderline camp at times. Don't get me wrong, I felt the plight of the Tails; not being allowed in Officer's Clubs, being given second-rate missions. Its just wasn't entertaining. There is an entire plot thread introduced in the second act that exists SOLELY to give the film a happy ending. There really isn't a need for it as not much time is devoted to it. Exactly two scenes, probably totaling five minutes of screen time, was devoted to this plot thread. Then it comes back at the very final moments of the film to give us a reason to cheer. At that point Terrance Howard was delivering a speech to his pilots...and would've been a great note to end on. Most of the plot beats are already-over-used tropes in most military films (bad guy that starts out kicking butt gets his due in the end, cavalier pilot who doesn't follow orders, soldier falls in love with native and bad stuff happens...)
For the most part the acting was not atrocious. Cuba Gooding Jr. was either miscast or just can't act any more. Denzel Washington should've been all over this movie. Perhaps he would've classed up the joint. I enjoy Terrance Howard and his performance in Red Tails is fine. The rest of the supporting cast is a mixed bag. Again, I'm sure if the material these men had to work with was better written they might've been able to do more with it.
As I mentioned before the real star of the film are the visual effects and aerial combat scenes. Frankly I wanted to see more of them. And its hard to NOT get a Star Wars vibe during the action. In fact, many of the sound effects for the fighters sounded eerily like TIE Fighters. If anything, Lucas has mastered the art of space/aerial combat in a way few others could portray.
At the end of the day Red Tails is alright. There isn't anything truly spectacular that makes it stand out from the crowd. Recasting Cuba and a stronger script could've helped to elevate the film to a whole new level. Instead it flounders on the runway and never truly gets off the ground.
Red Tails is a saddeningly mediocre war film.
The Bullet is out.
The narrative just didn't work for me. The aerial combat is a sight to behold; stellar visual effects and stunning camerawork make compelling action sequences. When the drama lands and dialogue takes center stage...yowza. Some of the dialogue is compelling and interesting. The rest of the time I couldn't tell if I was supposed to laugh or be offended (although there are very few actual racial slurs throughout the film). The dialogue between the Red Tails was borderline camp at times. Don't get me wrong, I felt the plight of the Tails; not being allowed in Officer's Clubs, being given second-rate missions. Its just wasn't entertaining. There is an entire plot thread introduced in the second act that exists SOLELY to give the film a happy ending. There really isn't a need for it as not much time is devoted to it. Exactly two scenes, probably totaling five minutes of screen time, was devoted to this plot thread. Then it comes back at the very final moments of the film to give us a reason to cheer. At that point Terrance Howard was delivering a speech to his pilots...and would've been a great note to end on. Most of the plot beats are already-over-used tropes in most military films (bad guy that starts out kicking butt gets his due in the end, cavalier pilot who doesn't follow orders, soldier falls in love with native and bad stuff happens...)
For the most part the acting was not atrocious. Cuba Gooding Jr. was either miscast or just can't act any more. Denzel Washington should've been all over this movie. Perhaps he would've classed up the joint. I enjoy Terrance Howard and his performance in Red Tails is fine. The rest of the supporting cast is a mixed bag. Again, I'm sure if the material these men had to work with was better written they might've been able to do more with it.
As I mentioned before the real star of the film are the visual effects and aerial combat scenes. Frankly I wanted to see more of them. And its hard to NOT get a Star Wars vibe during the action. In fact, many of the sound effects for the fighters sounded eerily like TIE Fighters. If anything, Lucas has mastered the art of space/aerial combat in a way few others could portray.
At the end of the day Red Tails is alright. There isn't anything truly spectacular that makes it stand out from the crowd. Recasting Cuba and a stronger script could've helped to elevate the film to a whole new level. Instead it flounders on the runway and never truly gets off the ground.
Red Tails is a saddeningly mediocre war film.
The Bullet is out.
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Bearded Bullet's Top 10 of 2011
Hello Internet and goodbye 2011! You were an interesting year...plenty of surprisingly awesome movies (Attack the Block, Hanna) and some that, well, didn't necessarily get the job done (Cowboys & Aliens, Battle: LA). 2011 was an interesting year in that there were dozens of films that I enjoyed quite a bit. When I sat down to make my top ten I started with closer to twenty and pared it down from there. I saw a total of 72 films that were released in 2011. And these are my absolute favorites.
A quick note before I get to my list: This is a "favorite" list and not a "best" list. There were fantastic films that I left off the list that may be "better" then some of my entries. Films like War Horse, The Tree of Life, and The Descendants are three that come to mind. These ten films are the ones that I enjoyed the most or had the best time viewing. There are also several films that I have not yet seen that I wanted to: Shame, Carnage, The Artist, The Devil's Double, Beginners, The Iron Lady to name a few. Perhaps I'll edit my list after I've seen them. With all that out of the way...here we go!
10. Hugo - To be honest I went into this film not all that excited. I'm a fan of Scorsese's films and the idea of him adapting a children's book didn't get me all that excited. The trailer came out and I still wasn't all that sold. Then I saw Hugo. And my mind was irrevocably changed. I love every aspect of this film. The setting, story, characters, music, visual effects, cinematography; everything just worked. The story of Hugo Cabret is compelling; the mystery surrounding the automaton discovered by his father (Jude Law) was intriguing and a storyline that I became emotionally engaged in. The film evolves into a love-letter from Scorsese to the first filmmakers in history...all while Martin himself pushes technology and film-making forward through the fantastic used of 3D. Hugo features the best use of 3D that I've ever seen - its used to enhance the experience and immerse the audience in 1930s Paris. To say that Hugo is magical is an understatement.
9. Immortals - This selection may earn me a bit of backlash. To see my thoughts in their entirety you can read my full review. I saw Immortals in theaters many times this year, both in 2D and 3D. Every year I find a good action movie and latch onto it. Last year it was Tron: Legacy. This year it was Immortals. Its a relatively "dumb" action movie that more than delivers on the action. I think Henry Cavill is great as Theseus and has a bright future as an action star (he's playing Superman in 2013's Man of Steel). I could talk at length about the incredible action sequences and amazing set-pieces. With a stronger narrative Immortals could've risen higher on my list.
8. Captain America - Going into this summer Cap was one of my most anticipated films. And it turned out being one of my favorites. Going up against Thor and X-Men First Class is no small task, and Cap came out on top, for me. I'm in love with history, specifically World War Two. The setting and tone of Cap is incredible. The story is fantastic; Steve Roger's arc is fun to watch and is the wholesome hero of his era. Hugo Weaving's Red Skull is a fantastic villain and a pure joy to watch. His reveal to Steve about what he really is is one of my favorite moments of the year. Steve and Peggy's romance just felt real. It felt natural. Its certainly more believable than Thor and Jane Foster's. Captain America is an excellently-made old-fashioned action film with real heart and character.
7. 50/50 - There is so much to like about this film. Fantastic performances, a compelling and engaging narrative and visceral emotion. I'm a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and an even bigger fan of Seth Rogen. Both are quite likable and great in their roles as best friends. 50/50 seems like a fairly accurate depiction of how a twenty-something would deal with the revelation that they have cancer. Levitt puts in an intensely believable performance that brings us along with him through the journey of discovery, coping, and treatment. I could relate to the emotions he was feeling and how he dealt with his relationship to his newbie therapist, played wonderfully by Anna Kendrick. Rogen brings the funny throughout the film, and not in the usual manner. It all feels natural for the situation(s) these characters find themselves. I cried few times in 2011 in the theater and this film has one of those moments. 50/50 is one of the most heartfelt dramadies of the year.
6. Moneyball - Brad Pitt is near the top of list of my favorite working actors. And in Moneyball he puts forth one of his best performances to date, if not the best. Pitt's Billy Beane is a complicated, layered man with a past he isn't too proud of. I never read the book nor am familiar with the real-life events surrounding the film's narrative. As a film it is quite fantastic. Jonah Hill puts in a career-best performance as well, as Beane's right-hand man. The narrative is compelling; you can't help but route for the underdog Oakland A's and Beane and Brand's new method of player recruitment. This film screams the concept of the underdog. The defeated A's are rebuilt using under-valued players that fight against all odds to prove their formula can work. Moneyball is quiet, compelling, and entertaining.
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - You can find the majority of my thoughts in my review. I absolutely loved this film and what it brought to the table in terms of changes to the source material. David Fincher is a perfectionist and master craftsman. And that comes through brilliantly with Dragon Tattoo. You can tell that every shot, every angle was meticulously planned out and executed to a T. Tattoo comes with some flaws, but at the end of the day its a supremely entertaining thriller that has some lasting, haunting imagery.
4. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Again, you can find my complete thoughts in my review. GP is the quintessential action film. I wouldn't change a thing about this film..except for a more memorable villain. That said, Protocol is one helluva thrillride across the planet with a bevy of memorable action set-pieces that I still think about to this day. The section in and around the Burj Khalifa hotel still boggles my mind and stands as the highlight of the action-film-scene of 2011. Considering this is his live-action debut, Brad Bird has promising action-film career ahead of him.
3. Warrior - This film is absolutely fan-friggin-tastic. There is so much that I love about Warrior. The characters are interesting and compelling; Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, and Jennifer Morrison put in great performances all-around. You feel for Nolte, a former drunkard who destroyed his family with his addiction. When his son, Tommy (Hardy) comes back into his life you see that Nolte has changed, yet has done irreversible damage to their relationship...so much that Tommy wants virtually nothing to do with his father. Edgerton and Morrison's plight is one that we are all too familiar with and can sympathize with more so than most protagonists. The two brothers start training for an MMA fight of the century; a single-elimination, two-night tournament for a prize of five million dollars. Each brother is fighting for their own reasons; the revelation about who Tommy is and why he's fighting is fascinating and quite intriguing. The parallel between Captain Ahab and his obsession with the white whale (the audio book Nolte continually listens to) and Nolte's own white whale (Tommy) is one of my favorite aspects of the film; Tommy comes in and out of his father's life and when they finally come together as a team (for the Atlantic City tournament) Tommy's whale drives his father to self-destruction over their failed relationship. The outcome may not be all that surprising, but the journey is incredible. The actual fights are well-choreographed and feel very real. I was on the edge of my seat more than once during these amazing brawls. I didn't think I could like a film like this more than 2010's The Fighter...but I think I do.
2. The Ides of March - 2011 had quite a few great thrillers. Ides was one of the finest. George Clooney continues his directorial (and actorial) domination. I can't speak highly enough about this film. The stand-out is the cast: Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright, Evan Rachel Wood. All put in strong, believable performances. Gosling is mesmerizing as Clooney's Governor Mike Morris' right-hand man. The plot is laden with political intrigue and back-door-dealing and is fascinating to watch. One wrong step or meeting can lead to (political) suicide. Clooney's Morris is strong, imposing, yet warm and likable at the same time. You want to vote for the man the first time you meet him. Then you want to toss him out to sea by the end. To me this feels like an accurate depiction of how real-life politics operates. Hand-shaking and smiling on the outside, while campaigning, with career-ending secrets and mistakes lurking in the background. The Ides of March is a compelling and highly entertaining political thriller. A must-see.
1. Drive - Full review here. For me there was little debate over what was my favorite film of 2011. I knew very little about Drive going into it. And that was a good thing. I was blown away by every facet of this well-crafted action-thriller-drama. Drive combines the best of those genres into an amalgamation of brilliance. Drive has some of the most brutal, visceral action scenes I've ever seen. Yet it also features some of the most interesting character-work in recent memory. To juxtapose the extreme violence are calm, quiet moments between Ryan Gosling's Driver and Carey Mulligan's Irene. Intense silence. Yet so much is said during those moments of intense silence. Arguably more is said during those scenes then when the characters actually speak to one another. Drive's soundtrack is one of the most memorable I've ever heard. I listen to it on an almost-daily basis. I can count on one hand the number of soundtracks/scores that I can listen to and pinpoint where exactly in the film they lie. Songs like "Nightcall," "Under Your Spell," and "A Real Hero" perfectly compliment what's transpiring on screen. All of these words cannot accurately express how I feel about this film. Its very, very early to determine, but I have a feeling Drive will end up in my all-time favorite list, up there with Saving Private Ryan, The Dark Knight and many, many other fantastic films.
And there you have it. 2011 was a pretty great year for good films. Here's to hoping that 2012 can live up to it!
The Bearded Bullet is off to wait for the Drive bluray...
A quick note before I get to my list: This is a "favorite" list and not a "best" list. There were fantastic films that I left off the list that may be "better" then some of my entries. Films like War Horse, The Tree of Life, and The Descendants are three that come to mind. These ten films are the ones that I enjoyed the most or had the best time viewing. There are also several films that I have not yet seen that I wanted to: Shame, Carnage, The Artist, The Devil's Double, Beginners, The Iron Lady to name a few. Perhaps I'll edit my list after I've seen them. With all that out of the way...here we go!
10. Hugo - To be honest I went into this film not all that excited. I'm a fan of Scorsese's films and the idea of him adapting a children's book didn't get me all that excited. The trailer came out and I still wasn't all that sold. Then I saw Hugo. And my mind was irrevocably changed. I love every aspect of this film. The setting, story, characters, music, visual effects, cinematography; everything just worked. The story of Hugo Cabret is compelling; the mystery surrounding the automaton discovered by his father (Jude Law) was intriguing and a storyline that I became emotionally engaged in. The film evolves into a love-letter from Scorsese to the first filmmakers in history...all while Martin himself pushes technology and film-making forward through the fantastic used of 3D. Hugo features the best use of 3D that I've ever seen - its used to enhance the experience and immerse the audience in 1930s Paris. To say that Hugo is magical is an understatement.
9. Immortals - This selection may earn me a bit of backlash. To see my thoughts in their entirety you can read my full review. I saw Immortals in theaters many times this year, both in 2D and 3D. Every year I find a good action movie and latch onto it. Last year it was Tron: Legacy. This year it was Immortals. Its a relatively "dumb" action movie that more than delivers on the action. I think Henry Cavill is great as Theseus and has a bright future as an action star (he's playing Superman in 2013's Man of Steel). I could talk at length about the incredible action sequences and amazing set-pieces. With a stronger narrative Immortals could've risen higher on my list.
8. Captain America - Going into this summer Cap was one of my most anticipated films. And it turned out being one of my favorites. Going up against Thor and X-Men First Class is no small task, and Cap came out on top, for me. I'm in love with history, specifically World War Two. The setting and tone of Cap is incredible. The story is fantastic; Steve Roger's arc is fun to watch and is the wholesome hero of his era. Hugo Weaving's Red Skull is a fantastic villain and a pure joy to watch. His reveal to Steve about what he really is is one of my favorite moments of the year. Steve and Peggy's romance just felt real. It felt natural. Its certainly more believable than Thor and Jane Foster's. Captain America is an excellently-made old-fashioned action film with real heart and character.
7. 50/50 - There is so much to like about this film. Fantastic performances, a compelling and engaging narrative and visceral emotion. I'm a fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and an even bigger fan of Seth Rogen. Both are quite likable and great in their roles as best friends. 50/50 seems like a fairly accurate depiction of how a twenty-something would deal with the revelation that they have cancer. Levitt puts in an intensely believable performance that brings us along with him through the journey of discovery, coping, and treatment. I could relate to the emotions he was feeling and how he dealt with his relationship to his newbie therapist, played wonderfully by Anna Kendrick. Rogen brings the funny throughout the film, and not in the usual manner. It all feels natural for the situation(s) these characters find themselves. I cried few times in 2011 in the theater and this film has one of those moments. 50/50 is one of the most heartfelt dramadies of the year.
6. Moneyball - Brad Pitt is near the top of list of my favorite working actors. And in Moneyball he puts forth one of his best performances to date, if not the best. Pitt's Billy Beane is a complicated, layered man with a past he isn't too proud of. I never read the book nor am familiar with the real-life events surrounding the film's narrative. As a film it is quite fantastic. Jonah Hill puts in a career-best performance as well, as Beane's right-hand man. The narrative is compelling; you can't help but route for the underdog Oakland A's and Beane and Brand's new method of player recruitment. This film screams the concept of the underdog. The defeated A's are rebuilt using under-valued players that fight against all odds to prove their formula can work. Moneyball is quiet, compelling, and entertaining.
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - You can find the majority of my thoughts in my review. I absolutely loved this film and what it brought to the table in terms of changes to the source material. David Fincher is a perfectionist and master craftsman. And that comes through brilliantly with Dragon Tattoo. You can tell that every shot, every angle was meticulously planned out and executed to a T. Tattoo comes with some flaws, but at the end of the day its a supremely entertaining thriller that has some lasting, haunting imagery.
4. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Again, you can find my complete thoughts in my review. GP is the quintessential action film. I wouldn't change a thing about this film..except for a more memorable villain. That said, Protocol is one helluva thrillride across the planet with a bevy of memorable action set-pieces that I still think about to this day. The section in and around the Burj Khalifa hotel still boggles my mind and stands as the highlight of the action-film-scene of 2011. Considering this is his live-action debut, Brad Bird has promising action-film career ahead of him.
3. Warrior - This film is absolutely fan-friggin-tastic. There is so much that I love about Warrior. The characters are interesting and compelling; Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, and Jennifer Morrison put in great performances all-around. You feel for Nolte, a former drunkard who destroyed his family with his addiction. When his son, Tommy (Hardy) comes back into his life you see that Nolte has changed, yet has done irreversible damage to their relationship...so much that Tommy wants virtually nothing to do with his father. Edgerton and Morrison's plight is one that we are all too familiar with and can sympathize with more so than most protagonists. The two brothers start training for an MMA fight of the century; a single-elimination, two-night tournament for a prize of five million dollars. Each brother is fighting for their own reasons; the revelation about who Tommy is and why he's fighting is fascinating and quite intriguing. The parallel between Captain Ahab and his obsession with the white whale (the audio book Nolte continually listens to) and Nolte's own white whale (Tommy) is one of my favorite aspects of the film; Tommy comes in and out of his father's life and when they finally come together as a team (for the Atlantic City tournament) Tommy's whale drives his father to self-destruction over their failed relationship. The outcome may not be all that surprising, but the journey is incredible. The actual fights are well-choreographed and feel very real. I was on the edge of my seat more than once during these amazing brawls. I didn't think I could like a film like this more than 2010's The Fighter...but I think I do.
2. The Ides of March - 2011 had quite a few great thrillers. Ides was one of the finest. George Clooney continues his directorial (and actorial) domination. I can't speak highly enough about this film. The stand-out is the cast: Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright, Evan Rachel Wood. All put in strong, believable performances. Gosling is mesmerizing as Clooney's Governor Mike Morris' right-hand man. The plot is laden with political intrigue and back-door-dealing and is fascinating to watch. One wrong step or meeting can lead to (political) suicide. Clooney's Morris is strong, imposing, yet warm and likable at the same time. You want to vote for the man the first time you meet him. Then you want to toss him out to sea by the end. To me this feels like an accurate depiction of how real-life politics operates. Hand-shaking and smiling on the outside, while campaigning, with career-ending secrets and mistakes lurking in the background. The Ides of March is a compelling and highly entertaining political thriller. A must-see.
1. Drive - Full review here. For me there was little debate over what was my favorite film of 2011. I knew very little about Drive going into it. And that was a good thing. I was blown away by every facet of this well-crafted action-thriller-drama. Drive combines the best of those genres into an amalgamation of brilliance. Drive has some of the most brutal, visceral action scenes I've ever seen. Yet it also features some of the most interesting character-work in recent memory. To juxtapose the extreme violence are calm, quiet moments between Ryan Gosling's Driver and Carey Mulligan's Irene. Intense silence. Yet so much is said during those moments of intense silence. Arguably more is said during those scenes then when the characters actually speak to one another. Drive's soundtrack is one of the most memorable I've ever heard. I listen to it on an almost-daily basis. I can count on one hand the number of soundtracks/scores that I can listen to and pinpoint where exactly in the film they lie. Songs like "Nightcall," "Under Your Spell," and "A Real Hero" perfectly compliment what's transpiring on screen. All of these words cannot accurately express how I feel about this film. Its very, very early to determine, but I have a feeling Drive will end up in my all-time favorite list, up there with Saving Private Ryan, The Dark Knight and many, many other fantastic films.
And there you have it. 2011 was a pretty great year for good films. Here's to hoping that 2012 can live up to it!
The Bearded Bullet is off to wait for the Drive bluray...
Contraband Review
Greetings Internet!
This will be a quick review...my last few have been quite long-winded. I enjoyed Contraband quite a bit. And it has no business being as entertaining as it actually turned out to be.
I'm a fan of Mark Wahlberg and most of his work. I found him quite enjoyable in Contraband. There are myriad examples of the now-classic Wahlberg Stare (just coined by me, thank you!) that just screams "I'm gonna beat the shit out of someone." He has some great moments of pure brutality that I absolutely loved. While the film doesn't get too graphic or violent, Mark's anger comes through quite strong. I feel that Giovanni Ribisi is an under-appreciated actor in Hollywood. He seems to make himself indistinguishable in each of roles. Its hard to imagine this same man playing a drunk-out-of-his-mind Nazi journalist in The Rum Diary, or a young medic on the shores of Normandy in Saving Private Ryan. He's great as a slimy, skeezy villain here in Contraband. I loved to hate him. The same goes for Ben Foster. I love him in pretty much everything he's been in. He's fantastic in 3:10 to Yuma and quite good in The Mechanic. He always brings a quiet calm with intensity bubbling beneath.
The narrative is fairly compelling yet has its fair share of plot holes and missteps in logic. I don't want to get into spoilers but there is one specific scene involving Foster and Kate Beckinsale that should've played out much differently. I enjoyed the drug-running aspects of the film; its a touch of the Ocean's trilogy mixed with the world of drugs.
At the end of the day there isn't anything truly spectacular about Contraband, yet nothing that screamed at me as being terrible. Its a decent action/thriller. And January seems to be home to films of this type. And I'm okay with that. Not every film will be on the level of Drive or even Taken. In this post-awards season Contraband is a cheap, yet enjoyable thrill.
Contraband is a perfectly adequate action-thriller.
Bearded Bullet is out.
This will be a quick review...my last few have been quite long-winded. I enjoyed Contraband quite a bit. And it has no business being as entertaining as it actually turned out to be.
I'm a fan of Mark Wahlberg and most of his work. I found him quite enjoyable in Contraband. There are myriad examples of the now-classic Wahlberg Stare (just coined by me, thank you!) that just screams "I'm gonna beat the shit out of someone." He has some great moments of pure brutality that I absolutely loved. While the film doesn't get too graphic or violent, Mark's anger comes through quite strong. I feel that Giovanni Ribisi is an under-appreciated actor in Hollywood. He seems to make himself indistinguishable in each of roles. Its hard to imagine this same man playing a drunk-out-of-his-mind Nazi journalist in The Rum Diary, or a young medic on the shores of Normandy in Saving Private Ryan. He's great as a slimy, skeezy villain here in Contraband. I loved to hate him. The same goes for Ben Foster. I love him in pretty much everything he's been in. He's fantastic in 3:10 to Yuma and quite good in The Mechanic. He always brings a quiet calm with intensity bubbling beneath.
The narrative is fairly compelling yet has its fair share of plot holes and missteps in logic. I don't want to get into spoilers but there is one specific scene involving Foster and Kate Beckinsale that should've played out much differently. I enjoyed the drug-running aspects of the film; its a touch of the Ocean's trilogy mixed with the world of drugs.
At the end of the day there isn't anything truly spectacular about Contraband, yet nothing that screamed at me as being terrible. Its a decent action/thriller. And January seems to be home to films of this type. And I'm okay with that. Not every film will be on the level of Drive or even Taken. In this post-awards season Contraband is a cheap, yet enjoyable thrill.
Contraband is a perfectly adequate action-thriller.
Bearded Bullet is out.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Review
Greetings and salutations, Internet!
I finally had the opportunity to see Tomas Alfredson's (Let the Right One In) Tinker Tailor Solider Spy. I have not read the book, so I went into this film with fresh eyes. Well, not exactly. With full disclosure I had been spoiled, and knew who the spy was. This information didn't really have an effect on whether or not I enjoyed the film; there were other qualities that lent more to my enjoyment of the film.
TTSS is a hard-boiled spy "thriller." I put thriller is quotes because it isn't all that thrilling. It is rather a slow-paced character drama...that doesn't let you know too much about the characters themselves. To get to the heart of the matter, that was my biggest gripe with the film. Alfredson keeps the audience at arm's length with regards to these character's back-stories and who they really are. We get little more than a name and perhaps their status within the "circus." The big reveal as to who the spy is is teased several times throughout the film, yet didn't produce a big reaction from me when the reveal finally came. And that is because not much time is spent with the suspects; again, we know only their names (and that is fairly hard remember in its own right) and spend barely minutes with each of them. I can't help but feel that more set-up was required to make the emotional impact of the reveal stronger and more effective.
My other main gripe is the pacing of the film; the beginning thirty minutes or so drag quite a bit. Only when Tom Hardy's character makes a certain phone call does the main thrust of the plot really take off. And even then the story moves at a snail's pace. Not to say that that's inherently a negative. An action film this is not - there are no high-tension shoot-outs, no James Bond-ing.
That said I quite enjoyed TTSS. The cast is insanely packed with high-caliber talent: Mark Strong, Gary Oldman (putting in an Oscar-worthy performance), Toby Jones, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch (recently cast as the villain in Star Trek 2), Colin Firth, John Hurt and Stephen Graham. There isn't a single poor performance in the entire piece. Again, I wish we could've spent more time with each individual character; perhaps just a small scene giving us a little more back story about who these people are and where their motivations lie.
What I appreciated the most about Tinker was that nothing was dumbed down at all. The films picks up using language that may confuse audiences: "Control" refers to John Hurt as head of the intelligence agency, "The Circus" refers to the agency itself. Names are thrown around without context or explanation. You just have to sit back and let the narrative play out, allowing us to piece together the puzzle along with Oldman. Confusion can easily set in and at times I really didn't know why characters were doing what they were doing, but by the end all of it made sense, even if I didn't really enjoy how it all played out.
Tinker Tailor is a very "cold" film. It felt very clinical in its presentation of facts and the characters. I got the same feeling from 2011's Contagion - the characters are kept purposely out of reach of the audience so we don't get all that attached. I feel that TTSS could've easily been twenty-to-thirty minutes longer and been perfectly fine. Story-lines involving the main suspects could've been added, and allowed for a more impactful reveal of the Russian spy. If you enjoy spy thrillers, or just well-acted period-pieces I recommend Tinker Tailor Solider Spy highly. If you are easily confused or bored then perhaps this isn't the film for you.
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy is an enjoyable thriller..that may underwhelm you by the end.
The Bearded Bullet is...going to try to remember the names of the main characters...
I finally had the opportunity to see Tomas Alfredson's (Let the Right One In) Tinker Tailor Solider Spy. I have not read the book, so I went into this film with fresh eyes. Well, not exactly. With full disclosure I had been spoiled, and knew who the spy was. This information didn't really have an effect on whether or not I enjoyed the film; there were other qualities that lent more to my enjoyment of the film.
TTSS is a hard-boiled spy "thriller." I put thriller is quotes because it isn't all that thrilling. It is rather a slow-paced character drama...that doesn't let you know too much about the characters themselves. To get to the heart of the matter, that was my biggest gripe with the film. Alfredson keeps the audience at arm's length with regards to these character's back-stories and who they really are. We get little more than a name and perhaps their status within the "circus." The big reveal as to who the spy is is teased several times throughout the film, yet didn't produce a big reaction from me when the reveal finally came. And that is because not much time is spent with the suspects; again, we know only their names (and that is fairly hard remember in its own right) and spend barely minutes with each of them. I can't help but feel that more set-up was required to make the emotional impact of the reveal stronger and more effective.
My other main gripe is the pacing of the film; the beginning thirty minutes or so drag quite a bit. Only when Tom Hardy's character makes a certain phone call does the main thrust of the plot really take off. And even then the story moves at a snail's pace. Not to say that that's inherently a negative. An action film this is not - there are no high-tension shoot-outs, no James Bond-ing.
That said I quite enjoyed TTSS. The cast is insanely packed with high-caliber talent: Mark Strong, Gary Oldman (putting in an Oscar-worthy performance), Toby Jones, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch (recently cast as the villain in Star Trek 2), Colin Firth, John Hurt and Stephen Graham. There isn't a single poor performance in the entire piece. Again, I wish we could've spent more time with each individual character; perhaps just a small scene giving us a little more back story about who these people are and where their motivations lie.
What I appreciated the most about Tinker was that nothing was dumbed down at all. The films picks up using language that may confuse audiences: "Control" refers to John Hurt as head of the intelligence agency, "The Circus" refers to the agency itself. Names are thrown around without context or explanation. You just have to sit back and let the narrative play out, allowing us to piece together the puzzle along with Oldman. Confusion can easily set in and at times I really didn't know why characters were doing what they were doing, but by the end all of it made sense, even if I didn't really enjoy how it all played out.
Tinker Tailor is a very "cold" film. It felt very clinical in its presentation of facts and the characters. I got the same feeling from 2011's Contagion - the characters are kept purposely out of reach of the audience so we don't get all that attached. I feel that TTSS could've easily been twenty-to-thirty minutes longer and been perfectly fine. Story-lines involving the main suspects could've been added, and allowed for a more impactful reveal of the Russian spy. If you enjoy spy thrillers, or just well-acted period-pieces I recommend Tinker Tailor Solider Spy highly. If you are easily confused or bored then perhaps this isn't the film for you.
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy is an enjoyable thriller..that may underwhelm you by the end.
The Bearded Bullet is...going to try to remember the names of the main characters...
The Bearded Bullet's Most Anticipated Films of 2012 (and Ones You Should Pay Attention To)
Sup Internet? Alas a new year is upon us. It feels like yesterday that I was writing my thoughts on the upcoming films of 2011. I haven't quite yet seen all of the films from this year that I want to, so my best-of lists will come at a later time. With 2012 already here I thought it prudent to begin looking toward the potential awesomeness that this year's films could bring. I'll give a rough list of what I'm looking forward to, followed up with my five most anticipated and why I'm excited for them.
Haywire - 20 Jan
Redtails - 20 Jan
Safe House - 20 Feb
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance - 17 Feb
Act of Valor - 24 Feb
The Lorax - 2 March
John Carter - 9 March
The Hunger Games - 23 March
The Raid - 23 March
Wrath of the Titans - 30 March
Cabin in the Woods - 13 April
Rock of Ages - 1 June
Snow White and the Huntsmen - 1 June
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - 22 June
Brave - 22 June
GI Joe: Retaliation - 29 June
Magic Mike - 29 June
The Amazing Spider-Man - 3 July
The Bourne Legacy - 3 Aug
Total Recall - 3 Aug
Expendables 2 - 17 Aug
The Wettest County - 31 Aug
Gangster Squad - 9 Oct
Gravity - 21 Nov
World War Z - 21 Dec
5. Django Unchained (Christmas Day). I'm a fan of Tarantino. I love all of his films, including those he wrote/acted in but didn't direct. Django Unchained, described as a "Southern," not a Western, boasts an insane cast, including: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell, Jamie Foxx, and Don Johnson. Foxx plays a runaway slave fighting to get his wife back. Its rare that Leo plays the villain role so I'm definitely excited.
4. Skyfall ( 9 Nov) Casino Royale is my favorite James Bond film and one of my all-time favorite films. After the disappointment that was Quantum of Solace (hurt badly by the writers strike of 2008) I was very much looking forward to the next film in the franchise. Financial problems at MGM prevented production from beginning for years and now its finally shooting as we speak. Sam Mendez is behind the lens with a stellar cast including: Craig and Judi Dench (reprising their roles) with the talented Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem beefing up the talent quotient. Very few details have been revealed, but at the very least we know that something from M's past has come back to threaten MI6 and Bond is sent to stop the threat, testing his loyalty to her. Mendez is a fantastic director and his assembled cast is quite stellar.
3. The Avengers (4 May) This is the ultimate fan-boy dream; seeing Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, Hawkeye and Black Widow teaming up to take on Loki, who is hell-bent on enslaving the human population. The journey to this film has been long and arduous. Never before has anything of this scope been attempted in cinema; five lead-in films established these characters and built them into one connected Marvel world. Countless theories have been thrown out regarding who the rest of the villains are and the story as a whole. Director Joss Whedon (who else could work with this excellent ensemble cast...well, besides JJ Abrams) is more than capable behind the camera, and from what we've seen so far in the trailer(s) and spy footage, The Avengers looks to be a bombastic action film that unites our favorite heroes into one kick-ass team.
2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (14 Dec) - The Lord of the Rings trilogy dominated box offices and the world in general in the first half of the previous decade. Again, after years of development hell (with MGM once again behind the majority of filming issues), and Guillermo del Toro leaving the project, Peter Jackson is finally delivering the first part of a duo of films based upon The Hobbit. The first trailer that was released gave me goosebumps; its odd to feel nostalgic about something that isn't yet a decade old but I still felt all of those types of emotions bubbling up. It looks as though Jackson has re-captured the look and feel of Middle Earth and will hopefully deliver two fantastic lead-ins to his previous trilogy.
1. The Dark Knight Rises (20 July) - Do I really need to go into detail about this one? The Dark Knight is my second all-time favorite film and to me, is a real masterpiece of cinema. TDKR has been under scrutiny for years now; more spy photos and videos came out of its production than I've ever seen. And we still don't know all that much. Tom Hardy's Bane looks imposing and ominous (even if you can't hear everything he's saying) and Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle/Catwoman looks devious and a threat to Bruce's wealth and estate. The marketing for the film is focusing heavily on Bane and the fact that this is the close of Nolan's trilogy. All of this leads me to believe that Bane will end either Bruce or Batman to close out the series. My anticipation is beyond measure; I and two friends drove to Pittsburgh in August to be extras in the Heinz Field scene (a large portion of the first trailer) and I more recently traveled farther than usual to see the TDKR "prologue" in 70mm Imax that was attached to Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. You can read my thoughts on the prologue here. I plan on camping out over-night to get the first spot in line. Crazy? Maybe. Awesome? Most definitely.
Bullet out.
Haywire - 20 Jan
Redtails - 20 Jan
Safe House - 20 Feb
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance - 17 Feb
Act of Valor - 24 Feb
The Lorax - 2 March
John Carter - 9 March
The Hunger Games - 23 March
The Raid - 23 March
Wrath of the Titans - 30 March
Cabin in the Woods - 13 April
Rock of Ages - 1 June
Snow White and the Huntsmen - 1 June
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - 22 June
Brave - 22 June
GI Joe: Retaliation - 29 June
Magic Mike - 29 June
The Amazing Spider-Man - 3 July
The Bourne Legacy - 3 Aug
Total Recall - 3 Aug
Expendables 2 - 17 Aug
The Wettest County - 31 Aug
Gangster Squad - 9 Oct
Gravity - 21 Nov
World War Z - 21 Dec
5. Django Unchained (Christmas Day). I'm a fan of Tarantino. I love all of his films, including those he wrote/acted in but didn't direct. Django Unchained, described as a "Southern," not a Western, boasts an insane cast, including: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell, Jamie Foxx, and Don Johnson. Foxx plays a runaway slave fighting to get his wife back. Its rare that Leo plays the villain role so I'm definitely excited.
4. Skyfall ( 9 Nov) Casino Royale is my favorite James Bond film and one of my all-time favorite films. After the disappointment that was Quantum of Solace (hurt badly by the writers strike of 2008) I was very much looking forward to the next film in the franchise. Financial problems at MGM prevented production from beginning for years and now its finally shooting as we speak. Sam Mendez is behind the lens with a stellar cast including: Craig and Judi Dench (reprising their roles) with the talented Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem beefing up the talent quotient. Very few details have been revealed, but at the very least we know that something from M's past has come back to threaten MI6 and Bond is sent to stop the threat, testing his loyalty to her. Mendez is a fantastic director and his assembled cast is quite stellar.
3. The Avengers (4 May) This is the ultimate fan-boy dream; seeing Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, Hawkeye and Black Widow teaming up to take on Loki, who is hell-bent on enslaving the human population. The journey to this film has been long and arduous. Never before has anything of this scope been attempted in cinema; five lead-in films established these characters and built them into one connected Marvel world. Countless theories have been thrown out regarding who the rest of the villains are and the story as a whole. Director Joss Whedon (who else could work with this excellent ensemble cast...well, besides JJ Abrams) is more than capable behind the camera, and from what we've seen so far in the trailer(s) and spy footage, The Avengers looks to be a bombastic action film that unites our favorite heroes into one kick-ass team.
2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (14 Dec) - The Lord of the Rings trilogy dominated box offices and the world in general in the first half of the previous decade. Again, after years of development hell (with MGM once again behind the majority of filming issues), and Guillermo del Toro leaving the project, Peter Jackson is finally delivering the first part of a duo of films based upon The Hobbit. The first trailer that was released gave me goosebumps; its odd to feel nostalgic about something that isn't yet a decade old but I still felt all of those types of emotions bubbling up. It looks as though Jackson has re-captured the look and feel of Middle Earth and will hopefully deliver two fantastic lead-ins to his previous trilogy.
1. The Dark Knight Rises (20 July) - Do I really need to go into detail about this one? The Dark Knight is my second all-time favorite film and to me, is a real masterpiece of cinema. TDKR has been under scrutiny for years now; more spy photos and videos came out of its production than I've ever seen. And we still don't know all that much. Tom Hardy's Bane looks imposing and ominous (even if you can't hear everything he's saying) and Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle/Catwoman looks devious and a threat to Bruce's wealth and estate. The marketing for the film is focusing heavily on Bane and the fact that this is the close of Nolan's trilogy. All of this leads me to believe that Bane will end either Bruce or Batman to close out the series. My anticipation is beyond measure; I and two friends drove to Pittsburgh in August to be extras in the Heinz Field scene (a large portion of the first trailer) and I more recently traveled farther than usual to see the TDKR "prologue" in 70mm Imax that was attached to Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. You can read my thoughts on the prologue here. I plan on camping out over-night to get the first spot in line. Crazy? Maybe. Awesome? Most definitely.
Bullet out.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Review
Hello and welcome, Internet!
**Minor spoilers abound**
I just had the pleasure of seeing David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo twice in a row. Yes, twice in a row. There aren't a ton of films that I would be willing to do that for. For some background, I've seen the original Swedish film twice and its first sequel once, but have never read any of the books. During my first viewing it was immensely difficult for me to separate myself from the original. I kept trying to compare plot beats and dialogue. Its not that I wasn't able to enjoy the film; its quite the contrary. However, I feel that my second viewing opened my eyes further, not only allowing me to pick up on things that I missed the first time around, but it also allowed me to distance myself from what I remembered and appreciate what Fincher brought to the table. And he brought a lot.
One thought that was on probably everyone's mind was how can Rooney Mara live up to, or even top Noomi Rapace's portrayal of the tormented and intriguing Lisbeth Salander? Mara not only lived up to any expectations I had, but also blew them out of the water. Mara plays a different kind of Lisbeth. Both start out distant and withdrawn, warped by extreme trauma at the hands of their new guardian. After their respective introductions to journalist Mikael Blomkvist (this time around played wonderfully by Daniel Craig) is where the two portrayals begin to diverge. Rapace remains distant and withdrawn during the course of their investigation, making love to Blomkvist seemingly to satisfy some carnal urge mixed with a touch of trust. Mara's Lisbeth's walls begin to slowly crumble during the investigation, falling down almost completely during the extended post-resolution epilogue. We see a few scenes of her interacting with Blomkvist in intimate and affectionate ways that the original film didn't even go near.
The rest of the cast is absolutely terrific. Daniel Craig plays Mikael Blomkvist with a strong sincerity...I was able to connect with his character and sympathize with him. Stellan Skarsgard is fantastic, as is Christopher Plummer. The overall dynamic created by the Vanger family is palpable and real.
Dragon Tattoo, at it heart, is a crime thriller. Except in this film the crime occurred over forty years ago. Again, it was highly difficult to separate myself from what I already knew, but Fincher and writer Steven Zaillian craft a story that stands apart from the original. Key plot points are shifted around in the overall timeline of the film, with certain elements streamlined, while others are expanded upon. Entirely new scenes are added with some being removed altogether. Without getting too spoilery, several elements of the case itself were altered, including the main reason Henrik Vanger hired Blomkvist in the first place. A very large portion of the epilogue has been changed, namely revolving around Lisbeth and Blomkvist's interactions and relationship. The ending they chose is a smart one; it will allow us to come back to our characters in a convenient manner for the sequel(s).
A David Fincher film has certain qualities that distinguish itself from all others. Dragon Tattoo is no exception. The cinematography is immaculate. The change in lighting and color palette when switching from the 1960s to the present is an inspired choice. With flashbacks it can be easy to get lost in the timeline (this year's J. Edgar fell victim to that), but with the juxtaposition between the grey/drab modern color set and the bright/vivid 1960s scheme one can easily identify what period they're in. This film has myriad scenes that left a lasting impression upon me and are highly memorable. Fincher does not shy away from any of the more uncomfortable scenes presented in the original. Rather, he embraces them and uses them to effectively motivate and shape Lisbeth, allowing her to regain her power over herself directly and indirectly. Directly via her confrontation with her new guardian, Bjurman and indirectly by participating and helping to solve Bomkvist's investigation. We often hear about her troubled past but these few scenes allow us to get but a small glimpse into what Lisbeth has had to endure almost her entire life...and how it has shaped her.
To say that I loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo would be an understatement. It is one of those rare remakes that takes the source material and presents it in such a manner that its predecessor can be all but forgotten in the process. I consider both films fantastic in their own right. Fincher's version delves a bit deeper into certain back-stories and offers up connective fiber that the original lacked. This film is not for the sensitive or squeamish. Very violent and brutal acts are captured onscreen with a visceral quality. Some films include graphic sexual content for seeming shock factor (Antichrist is one that jumps to mind immediately), but Dragon Tattoo melds it into the plot and allows us to get a better grasp on one of the main characters. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a must-see and a damn good thriller.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a supremely entertaining and well-executed film.
The Bearded Bullet is off to debate whether or not he should watch The Girl Who Played with Fire again..
**Minor spoilers abound**
I just had the pleasure of seeing David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo twice in a row. Yes, twice in a row. There aren't a ton of films that I would be willing to do that for. For some background, I've seen the original Swedish film twice and its first sequel once, but have never read any of the books. During my first viewing it was immensely difficult for me to separate myself from the original. I kept trying to compare plot beats and dialogue. Its not that I wasn't able to enjoy the film; its quite the contrary. However, I feel that my second viewing opened my eyes further, not only allowing me to pick up on things that I missed the first time around, but it also allowed me to distance myself from what I remembered and appreciate what Fincher brought to the table. And he brought a lot.
One thought that was on probably everyone's mind was how can Rooney Mara live up to, or even top Noomi Rapace's portrayal of the tormented and intriguing Lisbeth Salander? Mara not only lived up to any expectations I had, but also blew them out of the water. Mara plays a different kind of Lisbeth. Both start out distant and withdrawn, warped by extreme trauma at the hands of their new guardian. After their respective introductions to journalist Mikael Blomkvist (this time around played wonderfully by Daniel Craig) is where the two portrayals begin to diverge. Rapace remains distant and withdrawn during the course of their investigation, making love to Blomkvist seemingly to satisfy some carnal urge mixed with a touch of trust. Mara's Lisbeth's walls begin to slowly crumble during the investigation, falling down almost completely during the extended post-resolution epilogue. We see a few scenes of her interacting with Blomkvist in intimate and affectionate ways that the original film didn't even go near.
The rest of the cast is absolutely terrific. Daniel Craig plays Mikael Blomkvist with a strong sincerity...I was able to connect with his character and sympathize with him. Stellan Skarsgard is fantastic, as is Christopher Plummer. The overall dynamic created by the Vanger family is palpable and real.
Dragon Tattoo, at it heart, is a crime thriller. Except in this film the crime occurred over forty years ago. Again, it was highly difficult to separate myself from what I already knew, but Fincher and writer Steven Zaillian craft a story that stands apart from the original. Key plot points are shifted around in the overall timeline of the film, with certain elements streamlined, while others are expanded upon. Entirely new scenes are added with some being removed altogether. Without getting too spoilery, several elements of the case itself were altered, including the main reason Henrik Vanger hired Blomkvist in the first place. A very large portion of the epilogue has been changed, namely revolving around Lisbeth and Blomkvist's interactions and relationship. The ending they chose is a smart one; it will allow us to come back to our characters in a convenient manner for the sequel(s).
A David Fincher film has certain qualities that distinguish itself from all others. Dragon Tattoo is no exception. The cinematography is immaculate. The change in lighting and color palette when switching from the 1960s to the present is an inspired choice. With flashbacks it can be easy to get lost in the timeline (this year's J. Edgar fell victim to that), but with the juxtaposition between the grey/drab modern color set and the bright/vivid 1960s scheme one can easily identify what period they're in. This film has myriad scenes that left a lasting impression upon me and are highly memorable. Fincher does not shy away from any of the more uncomfortable scenes presented in the original. Rather, he embraces them and uses them to effectively motivate and shape Lisbeth, allowing her to regain her power over herself directly and indirectly. Directly via her confrontation with her new guardian, Bjurman and indirectly by participating and helping to solve Bomkvist's investigation. We often hear about her troubled past but these few scenes allow us to get but a small glimpse into what Lisbeth has had to endure almost her entire life...and how it has shaped her.
To say that I loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo would be an understatement. It is one of those rare remakes that takes the source material and presents it in such a manner that its predecessor can be all but forgotten in the process. I consider both films fantastic in their own right. Fincher's version delves a bit deeper into certain back-stories and offers up connective fiber that the original lacked. This film is not for the sensitive or squeamish. Very violent and brutal acts are captured onscreen with a visceral quality. Some films include graphic sexual content for seeming shock factor (Antichrist is one that jumps to mind immediately), but Dragon Tattoo melds it into the plot and allows us to get a better grasp on one of the main characters. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a must-see and a damn good thriller.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a supremely entertaining and well-executed film.
The Bearded Bullet is off to debate whether or not he should watch The Girl Who Played with Fire again..
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